Irish Are Given Huge Reception

Hundreds of fans waited through the night to greet the Republic of Ireland's World Cup heroes as they landed just before dawn at Dublin Airport following a seven-hour fight from their play-off triumph in Tehran.

Hundreds of fans waited through the night to greet the Republic of Ireland's World Cup heroes as they landed just before dawn at Dublin Airport following a seven-hour fight from their play-off triumph in Tehran.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given was the number one target of the back-slappers who filled the arrivals hall.

He had repeated his heroics of the first leg on Saturday by again defying Iran's strikers to cement Ireland's precious place in the Japan-Korea finals next summer.

Given, set for a quick return to action in for tomorrow's FA Barclaycard Premiership clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, said: "These fans are incredible.

"That's why I was just delighted to play well again.

"After twice losing before in major play-offs we just had to get through this time and now we're going to the World Cup.

"There's no better feeling but we've worked hard for this and I think it is only what we and the fans have deserved."

Iran defender Yahya Golmohammadi's goal just seconds before Costa Rican referee William Vega blew the final whistle was the only strike to beat the excellent Given.

It came far too late to revive the Asian team's hopes of wiping out the deficit they incurred at Lansdowne Road six days earlier.

McCarthy said: "One of the nicest touches about all this for me was being applauded back in the dressing room by the players when I finally got there at the end of the game.

"I should have been with them earlier because this was their moment but I was ambushed for an interview before I could join them.

"We've come a long way and had to get over the disappointment of not finishing top of our qualifying group and getting to the finals automatically.

"Now we've lost the very last match and I'm not happy about that - but I guess we'll accept it because of all the joy of going through.

"It was great to get to the World Cup as a player for Ireland in 1990 but it feels even better as a manager."

McCarthy's wife Fiona and other members of his family met him with hugs at Dublin Airport in the small hours.

He said: "I'm delighted for everyone - the players, the fans, the Football Association of Ireland and also my family.

"My life has been put on hold with these qualifiers and you never forget the feeling two years ago and two years before that when we didn't quite make it in Belgium and Turkey.

"But this time the family don't have to worry. There is no grumpy old dad coming home."

McCarthy and the FAI are set to open talks about a new contract for him soon after the World Cup draw takes place in Korea on December 1.

His current agreement runs until February but there is every indication from both sides he'll be given a fresh deal for the next two years, taking in qualification for Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Ireland will be among the top seeds on their recent record and McCarthy said: "I'd love to go there but I'm not trying to force anybody's hand over a new contract. I've approached nobody in the FAI."